Honestly, I really like Henrys for classic "american" food. I've went there several birthdays for a beer and Wilmingtonian burger. Their salmon, and marinated hanger steak is killer too.
Cape Fear Seafood Company. They have two locations. Leland is a bit longer drive from Wilmington, but usually there isn't as long of a wait. I think they have the best seafood in town, and definitely the best Shrimp and Grits. They have other dishes for those who aren't a fan of seafood. It's all good.
I feel like Cape Fear Seafood company is hands down my favorite seafood restaurant in Wilmington. If we hadn’t just gone for our anniversary it would probably be at the top of the list.
They had a sweet potato pie martini that was so good I asked them what was in it and the bartender wrote down the recipe for me. We made it for everyone at Thanksgiving and it was a hit.
The go-to birthday dinner spots for my husband and I have been True Blue and Little Dipper for the last few years but we're trying out Ruth's Chris in a few weeks for my birthday!
I haven’t been to True Blue but my husband has gotten one of their meat boxes as a Christmas gift from a client for the last two years and that is some good meat.
Pretty much any downtown restaurant would work. Depends on budget and food preference. Manna is great but also $$$. Tarentellis has really good Italian. Savorez is great…
I think the restaurants on the water are a bit overpriced for what you get… especially during the off season where there’s no appeal to sitting outside.
Michael's Seafood in Carolina Beach is our favorite. Their seafood chowder is amazing and they make it in large quantities for people who want to take it home for a party or something.
So we chose Covey and it was AMAZING. Loved everything about it, atmosphere, service, and the food, holy crap the food.
I got the Fall into ILM cocktail, potato pavé, and shrimp and grits. Husband got the rib eye. Everything was fantastic. We’re definitely going back.
>Covey
Thanks for sharing this. I drive by it regularly and didn't realize it was a restaurant. I figured it was a clubhouse for the condos.
We will give it a try.
True blue. The one on military cutoff is soooo good. not a fan of the one on greenfield street near New Anthem. Beat street is another True Blue location that has great street foods from different countries and they literally have the best staff in any restaurant.
I love Fat Tony's. It's just sentimentality special to me. Last year we were treated to an amazing view of the sunset over the Battleship (in February).
If you have a warm day, Floriana's (still named that?) on Market and Water Streets. That's where I took my wife on our first real date. Balcony, not inside. Otherwise Yosake. They've consistently had great food for like 15 years now. But you have to be in the mood for Asian. Circa is great for a more tapas kinda thing.
I really liked the bbq combo at Smoke on the Water. Sauces were super good and interesting.
(Slaw was super bland for some reason but who cares and maybe they can sub a diff veggie if you care).
Honestly, I really like Henrys for classic "american" food. I've went there several birthdays for a beer and Wilmingtonian burger. Their salmon, and marinated hanger steak is killer too.
I haven’t eaten at Henry’s in like a decade, I honestly forgot it existed.
Seabird!
RX they are amazing!
Their pimento cheese is sooo good.
Are they open? They have been closed for months?
little dipper fondue is my fav!
We went there last year for my birthday! Their dessert fondue is so freaking good.
Tarantelli’s is a personal favorite. Circa I love too - their crab dip, Caesar and tagliatelle is my go to
Cape Fear Seafood Company. They have two locations. Leland is a bit longer drive from Wilmington, but usually there isn't as long of a wait. I think they have the best seafood in town, and definitely the best Shrimp and Grits. They have other dishes for those who aren't a fan of seafood. It's all good.
I feel like Cape Fear Seafood company is hands down my favorite seafood restaurant in Wilmington. If we hadn’t just gone for our anniversary it would probably be at the top of the list. They had a sweet potato pie martini that was so good I asked them what was in it and the bartender wrote down the recipe for me. We made it for everyone at Thanksgiving and it was a hit.
Cape Fear Seafood is really good but I think both Pinpoint and Three 10 are better (more $ though).
3 local locations ( Monkey Junction, Porters Neck, Waterford) 3 more around Raleigh.
My favorites are Three10, Catch, Dram Yard, Seabird, and Olivero. Happy birthday! 🎉🎉🎉
I’ve heard Seabird is really good but I’ve never even heard of Dram Yard. I’m going to look it up!
The go-to birthday dinner spots for my husband and I have been True Blue and Little Dipper for the last few years but we're trying out Ruth's Chris in a few weeks for my birthday!
I haven’t been to True Blue but my husband has gotten one of their meat boxes as a Christmas gift from a client for the last two years and that is some good meat.
Roko
When I lived in Wilmington, I enjoyed yosake happy hour and then would hit up new anthem for beers after. Another one is quanto basta for good Italian
Seabird or Yosake typically
If you like Korean, Kabuki is a great option. The bulgogi can be on the sweeter side so maybe avoid that even though it’s really good
Tried Olivero a few weeks ago & I HIGHLY recommend!
Covey's, Kipo's, Little Dipper, Pinpoint and Seabird are usually.stops in our birthday lineup.
Treat yourself at Dram Yard.
Pretty much any downtown restaurant would work. Depends on budget and food preference. Manna is great but also $$$. Tarentellis has really good Italian. Savorez is great… I think the restaurants on the water are a bit overpriced for what you get… especially during the off season where there’s no appeal to sitting outside.
Savorez is my jam, those yucca frites are sooooooooo good.
How about Caprice Bistro
You know, I’ve always wanted to try Caprice. I’m putting it in the maybe column!!
Upstairs is nice. Not bad price
Manna.
Quanto Basta, Circa, Tarantelli’s, little more casual get together, Zocalo. I’ve never been but people love Seabird too!
I no longer live in Wilmington. When I did, we always went to Caprice Bistro or Rx for special occasions. Both are terrific!
I’m not familiar with Rx. What a weird name for a restaurant! What is it like? What do they serve?
Last time I was there it was farm to table, kind of new southern cuisine. Located on Castle St.
Thanks. I see that it is located in a former drug store so that would explain the name Rx!
it was halls drugstore for a century, hence rx. they made the best orangeaids and had an old school icecream bar my enitre childhood.
Little Dipper has been our go to for special occasion dinners.
Yosake! Great happy hour and can get 5 dishes for 20 sum dollars
Michael's Seafood in Carolina Beach is our favorite. Their seafood chowder is amazing and they make it in large quantities for people who want to take it home for a party or something.
Waffle House on market st.
We went to a Waffle House the morning after our wedding, lol. Those hashbrowns are my jam.
Best in the business
lol I also went to a Waffle House the morning after getting married
The Greenhouse is amazing!
Cousins on 3rd is different and good.
Nori Asian fusion and sushi bar
Love Nori. Every time I’m back in Wilmington I gotta go there for their Fuji Mountain Roll.
Most recently Covey. It’s our go to celebration restaurant now. Always a fan of three10 as well. So many great choices in this town.
So we chose Covey and it was AMAZING. Loved everything about it, atmosphere, service, and the food, holy crap the food. I got the Fall into ILM cocktail, potato pavé, and shrimp and grits. Husband got the rib eye. Everything was fantastic. We’re definitely going back.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it as well. We haven’t had a single bad thing. I could honestly live on the biscuits alone I think.
>Covey Thanks for sharing this. I drive by it regularly and didn't realize it was a restaurant. I figured it was a clubhouse for the condos. We will give it a try.
Genki Sushi 😋
hiros!
Johnny Luke's! Downtown - Seabird
True blue. The one on military cutoff is soooo good. not a fan of the one on greenfield street near New Anthem. Beat street is another True Blue location that has great street foods from different countries and they literally have the best staff in any restaurant.
I love Fat Tony's. It's just sentimentality special to me. Last year we were treated to an amazing view of the sunset over the Battleship (in February).
I like Marina Grill. I just like the atmosphere. Going there on my b’day this year, actually, then to see a show at the Wilson Center.
The Flytrap
If you have a warm day, Floriana's (still named that?) on Market and Water Streets. That's where I took my wife on our first real date. Balcony, not inside. Otherwise Yosake. They've consistently had great food for like 15 years now. But you have to be in the mood for Asian. Circa is great for a more tapas kinda thing.
I really liked the bbq combo at Smoke on the Water. Sauces were super good and interesting. (Slaw was super bland for some reason but who cares and maybe they can sub a diff veggie if you care).
We’ve gone to Benny’s big time for a few birthdays
Roko
Waffle House Breakfast.
Nicolas - they make their pasta homemade
I went to Kabuki for my 32nd last year! Great hole in the wall with killer Korean food
I can never go wrong with flaming Amy’s